When I became disenchanted with the practice of law in Puerto Rico, I decided to reinvent myself. A beloved friend that is no longer among us suggested that I open a fruit salad cafe.
This was back in 2007 — when there were no such mainstream establishments.
I delved into setting up such a business. Along the way, it occurred to me to incorporate raw and superfoods into it.
A staunch believer in doing things correctly or not doing them at all, I went to the Ann Wigmore Institute in Aguada, PR, to learn about wheatgrass and raw foods. I retained a raw foods chef to create a menu for the restaurant that I named Zesty Bites.
My vision was to create a unique eating experience that I would convert into a franchise.
They criminals however, would not allow me to attain my dream. I could not imagine that I was a targeted individual. Thus, I deemed the constant equipment breakage, inopportune government inspections at lunchtime, unexpected insect plagues, employee theft, absences, and sabotage, and a myriad of other obstacles that would constantly transpire as normal events in the operation of a business in my beloved yet challenging island.
This is but a peek at my hijacked reinvention:
Customers loved Zesty Bites. It was always full. I worked my b*tt off because I had a goal, a vision of what would be. It was a huge success from the day it opened.
The criminals had other plans though.
After one year and a half of operation, I had to shut it down. They gave me a severe bout of mononucleosis whose doctors’ (intentional) misdiagnosis resulted in a facial paralysis.
Thinking of my then 8-year-old son that desperately needed his overworked mother, I decided to close my store.
It’s all good. I learned priceless lessons some of which I would like to gift you.
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LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE
One of the most valuable lessons I leaned in my journey as restaurateur was the value of keeping your body in an alkaline state. An acidic body — fueled by all those delicious things that include sodas, sugar, bread, rice, meat and alcohol— fosters illness.
When you eat raw foods and know how to combine them, you keep illness at bay.
A raw foods lifestyle is not an easy one. Particularly if you enjoy a hearty meal once in a while.
However, there are some raw foods and drinks that I would make/sell at Zesty Bites that are simply delish! and very healthy. I firmly believe they are useful in fighting the intestinal attack tactics that the criminals perpetrate on targeted individuals.
It’s worth giving them a try…
WATERMELONS
Make melon salads (honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe) that are excellent alkaline foods but do not mix melons with other fruits. It counteracts the benefits of just eating melons.
PERFECT SMOOTHIES
My favorite one: fresh orange juice with spinach in the blender. Simply scrumptious.
My second favorite one: Fresh coconut water with one banana and cinnamon. YUM!
DRUMROLL FOR EVERYONE’S ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AT ZESTY BITES: ORGANIC GREEN LENTIL PATE
This is an easy-to-make, affordable and nutritious fare that is simply exquisite.
RECIPE
Ingredients
1 lb organic green lentils
1-2 bushels of cilantro
2 garlic cloves
Himalayan salt elixir (dissolve himalayan salt in water)
Olive oil
Extras (not essential but makes it much better)
Maple syrup
Truffle oil
Instructions:
Soak the lentils in water overnight. Drain the lentils and hang in a mesh-like sack for a day, or until the tiny tails start growing on them. The lentils have become living foods, full of energy.
In a food processor, mix the lentils, cilantro, garlic, salt to taste. The mixture soaks up a lot of olive oil, so have plenty ready. Add a tad of maple syrup and truffle oil, for added exquisiteness.
When the consistency is creamy, it’s ready. Do not over-mix as the blender or food processor will overheat the mix and reduce its living cells.
It stays fresh for 2 days. Do not leave metal utensils in the bowl where you serve it.
Serve it on salads, or in wraps or as the stuffing in an avocado, sprinkled with chopped, sweet fruits.
THE 2X A WEEK MUST HAVE:
As part of my raw food journey, I learned the value of fermented foods and drinks. I firmly believe that the 2-3 kombuchas a week are indispensable for your immune system as it keeps your gut - and the rest of your body— healthy. It’s an acquired taste, but once you have it a few times, your body craves it. Note: do not vigorously shake it, gently turn it to blend the contents in the bottom with those at the top.
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Instead of looking back at my hijacked reinvention with bitterness, thinking of what was stolen from me, I choose to relive the experience as one that proved I can accomplish anything I set out to do. When I went into my Zesty Bites project, I had no prior experience in the food business. However, I had an immense passion to create a unique business that I enjoyed and through which I could help others adopt a healthier lifestyle though delicious, healthy foods.
When you put your heart into a goal, all it takes is drive, determination, preparation, and the conviction that you will never surrender.
Success can only follow.
If there is something you have been waiting to do and fear of the unknown has held you back, I can only assure you:
IF GOD GIVES YOU THE INSPIRATION, YOU HAVE THE TALENT.
You can do it.
What a great story. It reminds me of an investment club I started and ran with 8 others (South Bay comprehensive Investment Group) from 1993-2000. I decided to close it out after sabotage began on my government day job with regularity moving my paperwork, interrupting my phone calls, and interviews. And a few members began having some bad experiences. I continued investing but on an individual and infrequent basis. The perps back then tried to make many activities difficult. It felt like discrimination to me and others as I hadn't learned about covert targeting surveillance.
Now I know so much it's unbelievable and scary how our government can be so cruel carrying out covert and sometimes subtle attacks on our precious lives, while denying any culpability on the atrocities.
I have successfully used Ayurveda, which has helped me lose weight.